Residents of the Imeko-Afon Local Government Area in Ogun State have voiced outrage and disgust at the recent return of kidnappings and killings in their town.
The residents, in a statement signed by the community’s chairman and secretary, Semiu Usman-Legitan and Wale Fadipe, and made available to The PUNCH on Tuesday, accused some criminal elements among some foreigners living in the community of being the brains behind the attacks.
According to community leaders, the attackers recently killed Kabiru Ogunrinde while escorting police to a crime site.
They also revealed that another resident, Eric Adekanmbi, was killed roughly three days ago while attempting to obtain the release of a kidnapped victim.
According to the statement, the resurgence of kidnappings and killings has forced the people of this border village to live in perpetual fear, unsure when the next attack would occur.
The statement said, “In recent months, the situation in Iwoye-Ketu has deteriorated rapidly. Our community has become a hub for kidnappings, murders, and other violent crimes. The perpetrators of these horrible crimes are thought to be Fulani ethnic members who have settled in our town. These individuals have showed no regard for human life, attacking and cutting our citizens to death at the least provocation.
“The frequency and brutality of these attacks have instilled fear and anxiety among our people. It is crucial to note that Iwoye-Ketu is a border town, which has significantly contributed to the rising crime and violence we are experiencing. The proximity to the border has made our community vulnerable to infiltration by criminal elements who exploit the porous borders to perpetrate their heinous acts.
“This geographical factor has exacerbated the security challenges in our community, making it even more imperative for swift and decisive action. This August alone, we have witnessed three separate incidents of kidnapping within our community. These kidnappings are not isolated incidents but are part of a broader campaign of terror being waged against our people.
“The attackers have been relentless in their efforts, leaving a trail of bloodshed and sorrow in their wake. Our community is under siege, and the threat to our lives and properties has never been more dire. The violence has claimed the lives of many promising young men in our community.”
The community leaders explained further that in response to these attacks, the leaders of Iwoye-Ketu, along with various interest groups, have taken several steps to address the situation by engaging in numerous meetings with security agencies, yet there had been no respite.
The community highlighted that despite the petitions submitted to the police and the DSS regarding the killing of Adekanmbi, no arrest has been made by any security agency.
Residents have consequently appealed for the immediate intervention of the state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, appropriate government agencies, and foreign organisations to avoid additional bloodshed in the border villages.
The community also debunked a YouTube video alleging that the town’s regent, Enoch Alaye, in collusion with the Divisional Police Officer of Imeko, is protecting the Fulani group and tacitly supporting killings in the community, claiming that the allegation was unfounded and false in its entirety.
